Rotary head guide system for drilling machine

Abstract

A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine, comprising:
 a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame, the mast frame including edges forming flanges on each side of the opening, the flanges forming a part of the mast frame and extending along the length of the mast frame; and 
 a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges of the mast frame, the guide assemblies each include a first bracket and a second bracket slidable on respective flanges,
 wherein the first bracket slides on a first side of a respective flange and second bracket slides on a second side of the respective flange opposite of the first side of the flange. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the mast frame includes one or more plates forming a shape of the mast frame, the one or more plates further forming the flanges. 
     
     
       3. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the flanges of the mast frame extend at an angle with respect to an adjacent portion of the mast frame, the angle being between 30°-60° measured from inside the mast frame. 
     
     
       4. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and second bracket include an angled portion corresponding to the angle of the flanges such that the first bracket and the second bracket include surfaces generally parallel to the flanges. 
     
     
       5. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket includes one or more wear members slidable on the first side of a respective flange, and
 wherein the second bracket includes one or more wear members slidable on the second side of the respective flange. 
 
     
     
       6. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to one another. 
     
     
       7. The rotary head guide system of  claim 6 , wherein the second bracket of each guide assembly is adjustable with respect to the first bracket to move toward or away from the first bracket. 
     
     
       8. The rotary head guide system of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure further includes one or more base plates coupled to the rotary head, the one or more base plates coupled to the guide assemblies. 
     
     
       9. A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine, comprising:
 a rotary head support structure movably coupled to flanges that form a part of a drilling mast frame, the support structure including:
 a pair of guide assemblies slidable on the flanges of the drilling mast frame, each guide assembly including a first bracket and a second bracket having wear members positioned generally parallel to one another,
 wherein the first and second brackets include a proximal portion coupled to one or more base plates, and an angled distal portion, the angled distal portion being at an angle between 120°-150° with respect to the proximal portion. 
 
 
 
     
     
       10. The rotary head guide system of  claim 9 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to one another. 
     
     
       11. The rotary head guide system of  claim 9 , wherein the second bracket of each guide assembly is adjustable with respect to the first bracket to reduce a gap between the wear members. 
     
     
       12. The rotary head guide system of  claim 9 , wherein the wear members are located on the angled distal portion. 
     
     
       13. The rotary head guide system of  claim 12 , wherein the support structure includes only two guide assemblies and only two brackets on each guide assembly. 
     
     
       14. A rotary head guide system for a mobile blasthole drilling machine, comprising:
 a rotary head support structure movably coupled to flanges of a drilling mast frame, the support structure including:
 a pair of guide assemblies slidable on the flanges, each guide assembly including a first bracket and a second bracket having wear members positioned generally parallel to one another,
 wherein the second bracket of each guide assembly is adjustable with respect to the first bracket to reduce a gap between the wear members, and 
 wherein the first and second brackets include a proximal portion coupled to the one or more base plates, and an angled distal portion, the angled distal portion being at an angle between 120°-150° with respect to the proximal portion. 
 
 
 
     
     
       15. The rotary head guide system of  claim 14 , wherein the first bracket and the second bracket are coupled to one another. 
     
     
       16. The rotary head guide system of  claim 14 , wherein the wear members are located on the angled distal portion. 
     
     
       17. The rotary head guide system of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure includes only two guide assemblies and only two brackets on each guide assembly.